Recipe: Butternut Squash & Parmesan Crustless Mini Quiches

The winter holidays are quickly approaching! Recipe favourites are a no-brainer for this time of year but a couple of healthy, innovative dishes will really spice up your holiday menu. Start new family traditions with this winter appetizer to highlight the winter season.

• 2 Tablespoons soft butter
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup roasted butternut squash pulp
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Generously butter a non-stick 24-cup mini muffin tin and sprinkle the cups with the bread crumbs. Over the kitchen sink, rotate the pan so that the breadcrumbs stick to the sides of the mini muffin cups somewhat. Don’t worry if they are not fully coated; they shouldn’t be.
2. In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk until bubbles form. Add squash pulp and whisk into the eggs. Don’t worry if a few lumps remain. Add the cream and mix again.
3. Beat the salt, pepper, Parmesan and parsley into the egg mixture.
4. Spoon two tablespoons of quiche batter into each mini muffin tin. You should have just enough for 24 mini quiche.
5. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until set. Remove from oven, run a butter knife around the edges of the mini quiche and place on a serving platter. Serve hot.

For more great winter appetizers visit Simple Bites.